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Accepted Paper:
Islamic feminism as a way to live the "everyday Islam": the second-generation of young Muslim women in Spain
Blanca Mendoza
(Autonomous University of Barcelona)
Paper short abstract:
This paper presents Islamic feminism as an ideology that is changing the way second-generation Muslim women educated in Spain understand and experience the "everyday Islam".
Paper long abstract:
Migration process brings along changes in the structure and dynamics of Muslim families, particularly in the roles of women. The boundaries between what is considered piety vary within this process. In this research we have found new ways of understanding Islamic morality; through the ideal of Islamic feminism these young women try to integrate Islam into their everyday.
This research is based on the doubly-reflexive ethnography that emphasizes the importance of comparing the discourses and interpretations of the subjects with what is observed in the practice. The methods used are participant observation within Muslim student associations and social networks (Facebook and WhatsApp chat groups) for two years, and the biographical method which has been used in order to know the individual experiences of these women through their narratives.
Islamic feminism promotes a contextual and historical reading of the Qur'an that encourages political, social and academic participation of women. For the participants of this research a way of piety is to vindicate themselves as educated Muslim women that actively participate into society to make it fairer and equitable. They think orthodox religious practices, like wearing the hiyab, are important but not essential. The perspective of Islamic feminism brings congruence to the "everyday Islam" of these women; a balance between morality, religion and everyday practices.
Gendering 'everyday Islam'
Session 1